| The Republic of Georgia |
| If the wind was blowing 5 mph, it had to be blowing 40-50 mph. Gusts would make you stagger to gain your step. Talk about a wind chill factor! It was probably 35-40°, but the wind felt like -1000°. The good news is, in Zemo-Bodbe Orphanage, in the Republic of Georgia, the buildings were warm. Thanks to the new wood and glass you purchased, new window frames and beautiful doors have been built on-sight. Gone are the broken, if not completely missing, windows and doors. |
| I always figured if I was ever caught in a stampede, it would be by Texas Longhorns. Little did I expect it would be Georgian sheep. We looked up and there they came…sheep everywhere, pouring over the hill, coming home after a hard day grazing on the hillside, little shepherds in the mix. These kids are learning to be real shepherds, not just doing a chore. Pouring out of the barn were little tiny lambs scurrying everywhere, running to sound of their moms. Baaa-baaa, baaa-baaa, with a baaa-baaa here, a baaa-baaa there, here a baaa, there a baaa, everywhere a baaa-baaa, old MacDon… oh well, I digress. Check the website for the cutest pictures. Talk about a successful herd, they have one now. There will be wool for clothes, meat for food, and more sheep being raised. It's a self-sustaining resource. |
| Driving on small patches of actual pavement between the potholes, we carefully made our way down the mountain to The Pump House. There we saw the new pump. Talk about the contrast of yesterday and today… The old pump takes up several times the floor space, with all kind of piping and valves. Check out the new pump in comparison (again, check the website). This new one is a high-pressure pump from Italy. It is pumping water all over the area! Everyone has water, the village as well as the orphanage. There are still a few bugs to work out of the system, but they're on their way. Yes, they found a leak or two or fifty in the old pipes, but they are patching and replacing sections as fast as they can. |
| By now, the new power poles will have been erected. Wire to reach from here to the moon has been purchased and delivered. Good news on the electricity, the orphanage is on the most reliable circuits in Georgia. When there actually is electricity being generated, they will be ready to light up! It's odd to be driving through Tbilisi, the capital city no less, in the early evening, and see large areas of town suddenly go dark. It's business as usual for the people, nothing new for them. Life is good in the USA. |
| Unfortunately, we did hit a snag. In October, nice furniture and rugs, for the children's living room, was purchased and placed. When we returned in March, it was gone. It seems the staff decided it was too nice for the children to play on, so they moved it into the teachers' lounge. The brightly painted room, including a beautiful Noah's Ark mural, sat there empty. What a disappointment. The surprising thing was, knowing we were returning, they didn't even have presence of mind to replace the items before we arrived. The director had already told his staff they had to exercise proper stewardship of what was given to them. "That way", he told them, "they can trust us with more." |
| "Be not deceived, God is not mocked." We have to be faithful in our stewardship, even if others are not. The mission God set before us at Zemo-Bodbe was to provide water, electricity, and a barnyard full of animals. Some of these things have been finished, and others are nearing completion. The positive thing is the water, electricity, windows, doors, and the new roof are all there to stay. The children will continue to benefit greatly from these. |
| At this time, as God is closing the door on our mission to this orphanage, He is opening new doors for Treasures to work in the Republic of Georgia. The medical supplies we have been able to send to Greg and Tammy Jenkins are bearing fruit. It is getting the Gospel into the military hospital. The Chief of Staff has opened his arms, and the hospital, to Greg. He has allowed Greg to place New Testaments in all the hospital rooms. He has also told Greg all "his" (Greg) people, church members, staff, etc., will be treated free at his military hospital. |
| Never say never. Each time we send a shipping container, we say, "Whew! Never again!" Tap, tap, tap…that would be God's finger on our shoulder. "I have need of another container. Will you be available?" "Yes, Lord, we will ride with You!" It seems we have already started acquiring large, shipping container type items that need to be transported to Georgia. If you have access to any medical supplies, no matter how small or how large, let us know. The only caveat is dated products. We cannot take expired items. Once again, Convoy of Hope, in Springfield, Mo., will transport for us free of charge. |
The journey continues… Howard Barlow - Reporter & photographer for Treasures
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